Gables Bites: Cooking Classes

2/26/13

By Riki Altman

Whether you fancy yourself a serious cook or you still don’t know how to boil an egg, area chefs are happy to teach you more at classes that are either free or very affordable.

Fans of Chef Cindy Hutson and her Cuisine of the Sun enjoy Ortanique’s interactive cooking classes, which run for about 3 hours. Guests team up in groups of eight with a chef from the restaurant’s kitchen (only three teams are permitted), then each team selects a head chef to prepare each course and a “sous chef” assists in prepping and plating. Three courses are offered and are paired with Champagne or wine after a quick pairing lesson is offered. All participants take home a gift and a recipe booklet. Call the restaurant for more information.

Aragon 101, a home décor boutique and cooking school, also hosts classes regularly. Each one runs for about three hours and class size is limited to 14 participants. Costs average about $65 per class, per person. March 9 focuses on brunch, and you can sign up for the March 16 Greek class or the March 28 ceviche class, for example. Check the website for details.

Though the schedule of cooking demonstrations/classes will be more formalized in 2014 after La Cuisine & Clark finishes it’s massive remodeling, Italian cooking classes are still being held there on select Saturdays. Call the retailer at 305-442-9006 for updated information.

And don’t forget about the Saturday morning Farmers Market, held in front of City Hall from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until March 23. Not only is admission free, but visitors are also invited to watch cooking demonstrations at 10 a.m., typically hosted by chefs at neighboring restaurants. Look at the schedule for details, or just pop into the little alcove between the parking lot and City Hall for a peek. Take notes, then get cookin’!